February 12, 2008

A weekly summary of events, activities and information of interest to members of the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce.

DID YOU KNOW......... "You can display your business cards for distribution on professional racks in the Chamber offices at 429 10^th St. in Marysville at no charge. This is a members-only benefit."

Member Notes

MAP SALES: The Chamber will print new full-size Yuba-Sutter maps this spring with advertising available to members only. The cost for advertising is $350-$900 depending on size and placement. These four-color maps are considered the most inclusive for the area and feature new roads, parks, boat docks, religious institutions, schools and government buildings. We print 7,500 copies which are distributed throughout the community and to Beale Air Force Base personnel. Call Mandy Jones at 743-3497 for more information.

BCB reservations deadline: We are filling up fast for the "State of the Counties" Business Connection Breakfast. County Administrators Robert Bendorf (Yuba County) and Larry Combs (Sutter County) will be the featured speakers. The cost is $12 by Wednesday, February 27, at 4 p.m. and $15 at the door. Call 743-6501 for reservations.

UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF DISNEY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE: Have you made your reservations for motivational Speaker Doug Lipp, former head of corporate training at Walt Disney University and a customer service expert with clients including Frito Lay, Wells Fargo Bank, Honda, Marriott and IBM. This is a great opportunity to reward your employees and associates while giving them invaluable customer service information. Doug will be the featured speaker Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m. at the Yuba College Theatre. The evening includes a wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and costs $35 per person. Call Terra Yaney at 751-8555 or e-mail tyaney@ysedc.org. This is a project of the Yuba-Sutter Business Consortium, which includes the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce.

SHARING GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE: The best way to fight a tough economy is great customer service that makes your customers want to come to your store to shop. We are looking for your secrets to great customer service to print in this publication and Business Today. These may include employee training tips, sales and delivery policies, special slogans, etc. To start you off, here's an example; when you enter Rush Personnel Services in Yuba City the person who greets you has a nameplate that reads, "Director of First Impressions."

BCB SPONSORSHIPS: We are now accepting sponsorships for our popular monthly Business Connection Breakfasts. A $300 Business Connection Breakfast Sponsorship would include these benefits:

Banner displayed at event
Verbal recognition at event
2-minute presentation at event
2 complimentary breakfasts at event
Recognition in the Chamber e-newsletter
Recognition in Business Today
Recognition in Breakfast Program

The Business Connection Breakfast is one of the Chamber's most attended events averaging between 50-75 business professionals and industry leaders. Eleven Breakfasts are scheduled in 2008 with presentations from topic experts on History of our Cities, State of the Counties, "Generation Me", E-Commerce, Gangs, Transportation, State of the Cities, State of the Chamber, Agriculture & The Enterprise Zone.

If you would like to be added to our list of Monthly sponsors or have questions concerning sponsorship, please contact Mandy Jones at 743-3497 or at mjones@yubasutterchamber.com.

This Week's Chamber Events

Tuesday, February 12, 5:30 p.m., Ribbon Cutting: St Isidore Catholic School, 200 Clark Ave, Yuba City.

Friday, February 15, Noon, Ribbon Cutting: Grocery Outlet, 1721 Colusa Hwy, Yuba City.

Upcoming Chamber Events

Tuesday, February 19, 5:30 p.m., Ribbon Cutting: FedEx Kinko's, 1054 Harter Rd #6, Yuba City.

Thursday, February 21, 5:30 p.m., Business After Hours: Larry Geweke Ford, 871 E Onstott Rd, Yuba City.

Other Member Community Business Events

Thursday, February 14, 7:30 - 9 a.m., Shifting Perspectives Workshop: Employers will learn and understand the requirements and protections available under the ADA and FEHA, and key elements of providing reasonable accommodations, including how to respond to requests and effectively engage in the interactive process. Employers, Human Resource personnel and all other professionals welcome. Workshop presented by Lisa Jordan and hosted at Sutter County One Stop, 256 Wilbur Ave in Yuba City. For more information and to register, call 822-5120 extension 3052 or email tcostales-servin@sutter.k12.ca.us.

Friday, February 15, Family Friendly Workplace Awards deadline: The 1^st Family Friendly Workplace Awards recognize employers that offer family friendly programs and benefits in their workplace. Any business is eligible. Nomination forms are due by February 15. They can be downloaded on the web sites of the awards sponsors, the Childcare Planning Council of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Appeal-Democrat and Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce. Submit nominations to the council at 1010 I Street in Marysville. Call 749-3726, ext 106, for more information.

Tuesday, March 4, 9 am - noon, E-Commerce for Government Contracting: Learn to save time searching the web for contracting opportunities. This introductory class, presented by The Federal Technology Center discusses the initial steps vendors must take to conduct e-commerce with the government providing a hands-on experience to learn about: government websites, federal bid opportunities, e-commerce procedures and use of e-commerce secure links. This class is free and will be held at the Yuba College Regional Small Business Development Center, 1227 Bridge St, Ste C (behind Umpqua Bank) in Yuba City. Pre-registration is required and can be done online at www.TheFTC.org. For questions call 866-382-7822 toll-free.

Next Issue of Business Today

Monday, February 25, 2007, Sponsor: Sutter Community Bank

If you are reading this copy on our website and would like to begin receiving it via e-mail, e-mail chamber@yubasutterchamber.com with your request.

www.calchamber.com That's all you need to know to keep up with the daily events going on in the state business economy. The web site offers daily headlines of ongoing action and legislation and an easy, quick way to keep informed of business happenings.